Cigars have much to offer those who are aspiring to be aficionados. Not only do they prove to be a rewarding hobby in their own right, but cigars are also a great way to meet new people. Whether it’s at a convention center or even your friendly local cigar pub, there are tons of ways to meet interesting, like-minded cigar enthusiasts. Of course, this comes with a level of intimidation for many newcomers. No need to worry; Best Cigar Prices is here to help. We’ve gathered some vital information for novice smokers below. Feel free to browse our Cigars 101 resource for more answers!

Choosing a Cigar

As you may suspect, picking your first cigar to try at random may not yield the best experience. Certain cigars are particularly strong, as they’re designed for a palate that’s already used to smoking. If you’re trying your first cigar, it would be wise to avoid blends that mention “full-strength” or “ligero” tobacco, which refers to the strongest, most nicotine-rich leaves of the tobacco plant. Instead, you may want to try a lighter, more mellow blend. Cigars that mention a “Connecticut” wrapper leaf are often a safe bet.

Cutting Your Cigar

Every cigar has a “foot” (the end you light) and a “head” (the end you cut). The head can usually be identified quickly as the end that is more closed off. That’s where cigar cutters come into play. Cutters let you create a clean opening to draw smoke through. You want to make the cut near the very tip of the head, often only removing an eighth of an inch. This may vary depending on the cigar’s shape, but just try to visualize which area would create a sizable hole without making the head look like the foot. Then all you have to do is cut quickly and firmly.

Lighting Your Cigar

Gently hold the flame of your lighter near the foot of the cigar without actually touching it. Then, start puffing on the cigar while you slowly rotate it for an even burn. You can exhale directly on the foot to help it burn and identify any spots that are unlit. Using a torch lighter is ideal, as it lets you precisely light these spots with ease.

Enjoying Your Cigar

Now the fun can begin. Sit back, relax, and lightly puff on the cigar. Remember: do not inhale the smoke. You want to draw the smoke into your mouth and then blow it back out. Also, don’t smoke too fast just because you’re worried about the cigar losing its light. Even seasoned smokers have their cigars go out every now and then. Re-lighting a cigar is better than ruining the smoke by making yourself sick. Take your time and try to pick out flavor notes as you smoke. Is the cigar peppery? Creamy? How does the flavor profile change as more of the cigar is smoked?

Finishing Your Cigar

For a first-time smoker, you may feel the urge to stub out a cigar (stamping the lit end into an ashtray) when you’re finished smoking it. After all, that’s how we commonly see cigarettes extinguished. But cigars are different. For starters, cigars are more of an art form than cigarettes, so many see it as disrespectful to mash a delicate, hand-rolled cigar into oblivion. On top of that, breaking up a cigar butt can leave behind an unpleasant odor. That’s why you should simply place the cigar in an ashtray when you’re done, allowing it to extinguish on its own.

We hope that laying out these basics of cigar smoking will make that first stick a little less intimidating. After your first smoke, you’ll not only become more confident as an aficionado, but more aware of your tastes as well. Take note of what you like and don’t like with each cigar and you’ll soon have a good handle on which cigars to avoid and which ones to bring to your humidor.